​Faculty Colloquia and Other Speaker Series

Speaker Series

Faculty Colloquia Series

The Faculty Colloquia Series brings to the law school several scholars each semester, from other law schools as well as from our own law school faculty, to present and lead a discussion on a variety of important issues, works-in-progress and aspects of the law.

Tax Law Speaker Series

The Tax Law Speaker Series brings several leading tax scholars to the law school each year to present to faculty and students on topics of current tax research.

Endowed Lectures

Nathanson Memorial Lecture Series

The Nathaniel L. Nathanson Memorial Lecture Series was established in 1984 to honor the esteemed law professor who devoted his life to the law and legal education. This lecture series brings distinguished speakers to the University of San Diego to discuss issues of national significance. Nathanson, a graduate of Yale University, Yale Law School and Harvard Law School, served as law clerk to The Honorable Julian Mack of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, as well as to The Honorable Louis D. Brandeis of the Supreme Court of the United States. He taught law at Northwestern University School of Law from 1936 to 1977, where he was named professor emeritus. That same year, he was named a Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of San Diego. He spent alternate semesters at the two law schools until his death in 1983. The University of San Diego greatly benefited from the presence of this eminent professor and is pleased to present this lecture series in his memory.

Bergman Memorial Lecture on Women, Children and Human Rights

The Jane Ellen Bergman Memorial Lecture Series on Women, Children and Human Rights is the result of a wonderful gift by Dr. Barbara Yates, a longtime professor at the University of Illinois and a friend of the late Bergman. According to Dr. Yates, Bergman was "an ordinary citizen who chose to devote her professional life to public service. As a nursing administrator, public health educator, and family therapist, she developed an abiding interest in the human rights of common people, especially the plight of women and children, in a rapidly changing world." This series is a lasting tribute to Bergman and an opportunity for USD students, faculty and staff, as well as interested members of the community, to hear distinguished lecturers speak about issues concerning women, children and human rights.

Joan E. Bowes – James Madison Distinguished Speaker Series

Continuing a family passion for learning, longtime La Jolla resident and civic activist Joan E. Bowes established the Joan E. Bowes-James Madison Distinguished Speaker Series through the School of Law to inspire law students and other members of the San Diego community and promote the open exchange of ideas. Bearing the name of James Madison—fourth president of the United States and "Father of the Constitution"—this annual series brings distinguished speakers from the fields of law, diplomacy, government and politics to the University of San Diego.

Richard Crawford Pugh Lecture on Tax Law & Policy

The Richard Crawford Pugh Lecture on Tax Law & Policy brings a distinguished practitioner, judge or government official who has played a significant role in shaping U.S. and international tax policy to the law school each year to discuss current and developing tax law and policy trends. The endowed lecture was established in 2009 in honor of the long and illustrious career of USD's Professor of Law Emeritus Richard Crawford Pugh.